 Te Rauaparaha had not expected such an attack, but with a small force at his disposal he could not undertake a direct assault on so strong and populous a fortress.In fact, had the Ngāi Tahu taken the initiative outside the pā, as they had within it, they might readily have destroyed his whole force.As it was he retreated quickly up the coast to the Waipara River, re-embarked in his canoes, and returned to Kapiti.